Mthatha Bucks will be counting on the influence of their 12th man and coming out tops against Black Leopards in an NFD encounter at the Mthatha Stadium this afternoon.
The Mthatha outfit will be out to redeem themselves following their first loss of the season which they suffered at the hands of Jomo Cosmos last weekend.
Bucks assistant coach Sibusiso “Phopho” Mapompo said confidence was high in the “Amathol’amnyama” camp and that three points should remain in Mthatha.
But in Lidoda Duvha they meet a side who are full of confidence following their 4-0 drubbing of Milano United in their previous match.
Leopards’ confidence is further bolstered in that they clobbered their Mthatha foes twice last season, home and away.
Mapompo says they are well aware of the danger the visitors pose but they draw confidence in that they have the upper-hand due to their loyal supporters who always pack the venue to the rafters.
He warned Leopards against over-confidence due to their big result last week, saying they were in for a surprise.
“Because they won with such a big score and beat us twice last season, they are high in confidence but hopefully for their own good they do not become over-confident,” he said.
“Because should they come with that attitude we will teach them a lesson because we find motivation in that we need to bounce back following the loss last week.
“It is without a doubt going to be a tough encounter but we are counting on our 12th man to see us through this mission.” Bucks are yet to lose a match in their own backyard this season, having bagged four points courtesy of a win and draw from a possible six.
The two sides are tied on seven points in third and fourth place respectively, with Leopards occupying the former position owing to their superior goal difference.
Mapompo said maximum concentration by his charges will be vital, especially in the second half.
“As the technical team, we have a perfect plan in place on how Leopards should fall but it will boil down to execution on the field,” said Mapompo.
Elsewhere in the NFD, log leaders Thanda Royal Zulu welcome Real Kings FC at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex, in what is expected to be a scintillating KZN derby.
Not far from there also tomorrow at the Princess Magogo Stadium, second-placed AmaZulu host FC Cape Town.
Other NFD matches today: University of Pretoria V Jomo Cosmos (Tuks Stadium), Santos V Stellenbosch FC (Parow Park), Royal Eagles V Witbank Spurs (Harry Gwala Stadium) and Magesi FC V Mbombela United (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium). All matches start at 3pm. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Bucks ready to bounce back
The Mthatha outfit will be out to redeem themselves following their first loss of the season which they suffered at the hands of Jomo Cosmos last weekend.
Bucks assistant coach Sibusiso “Phopho” Mapompo said confidence was high in the “Amathol’amnyama” camp and that three points should remain in Mthatha.
But in Lidoda Duvha they meet a side who are full of confidence following their 4-0 drubbing of Milano United in their previous match.
Leopards’ confidence is further bolstered in that they clobbered their Mthatha foes twice last season, home and away.
Mapompo says they are well aware of the danger the visitors pose but they draw confidence in that they have the upper-hand due to their loyal supporters who always pack the venue to the rafters.
He warned Leopards against over-confidence due to their big result last week, saying they were in for a surprise.
“Because they won with such a big score and beat us twice last season, they are high in confidence but hopefully for their own good they do not become over-confident,” he said.
“Because should they come with that attitude we will teach them a lesson because we find motivation in that we need to bounce back following the loss last week.
“It is without a doubt going to be a tough encounter but we are counting on our 12th man to see us through this mission.” Bucks are yet to lose a match in their own backyard this season, having bagged four points courtesy of a win and draw from a possible six.
The two sides are tied on seven points in third and fourth place respectively, with Leopards occupying the former position owing to their superior goal difference.
Mapompo said maximum concentration by his charges will be vital, especially in the second half.
“As the technical team, we have a perfect plan in place on how Leopards should fall but it will boil down to execution on the field,” said Mapompo.
Elsewhere in the NFD, log leaders Thanda Royal Zulu welcome Real Kings FC at the Umhlathuze Sports Complex, in what is expected to be a scintillating KZN derby.
Not far from there also tomorrow at the Princess Magogo Stadium, second-placed AmaZulu host FC Cape Town.
Other NFD matches today: University of Pretoria V Jomo Cosmos (Tuks Stadium), Santos V Stellenbosch FC (Parow Park), Royal Eagles V Witbank Spurs (Harry Gwala Stadium) and Magesi FC V Mbombela United (Old Peter Mokaba Stadium). All matches start at 3pm. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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